Archives for February 2002

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander this month delivered $338.8 million in monthly sales tax payments to Texas cities and counties, a one percent increase compared to the $335.3 million paid in February 2001.

Local figures did not reflect the state trend. Clarendon’s rebate dropped 10.63 percent to $29,206.38, and Hedley’s rebate fell more than 27 percent to $663.57.  Howardwick saw its rebate slip less than one percent from the same period one year ago to $975.94.

February’s rebates include local sales taxes collected in December and reported to the Comptroller in January. The state’s share of sales tax collected during this period was $1.2 billion, down 1.4 percent.

By Carrie Helms, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon native Will Thompson has been hard at work for almost a year updating the computer systems at Clarendon College, a project that is nearing completion.

He joined the Clarendon College staff last summer, and his first task was to update the existing computers before bringing online 70 new desktop computers and 14 laptops purchased with grant money for use on both the Clarendon and Pampa campuses.

“This year we started up grading the RAM to 128 megabytes,” Thompson said. “Then we had to upgrade the operating systems to Windows NT/2000.”

The outdated software was replaced with Microsoft Office 2000 to complement the computer curriculum, and the web server at the Pampa Center was upgraded to enhance web-based training for online classes.

“We really wanted to get some Microsoft Certification courses for both the students and the community,” Thompson said.

In addition, Thompson updated the administration system for improved registration, student billing, and office accounting.

“We installed a fiber optic system from the RFO building to the Activity Center,” Thompson said, “and a wireless connection to the gym so all the coaches’ computers have access to the network.”

The wireless project proved a great success, and they hope to include the dorms in the future.

“We want to give students the opportunity to use their personal computers to connect to the Internet through the network,” Thompson said.

Thompson is well qualified for his new position.  He holds a degree in computer science and information systems from Panhandle State University and served as an officer in the army working in communications.

“After I got out of the Army,” Thompson said, “I worked for NASA for five years before joining a company in Houston.”

Thompson and his family became jaded with big city living and were looking for a quieter way of life.

“In a regular commute, it would take half an hour to get 10 miles,” Thompson said.

Though the necessary elements are almost completed, the technology update is far from over.  Future plans include overhead display projectors for classrooms and improved Internet connections on both campuses.

“This has been an important project for Clarendon College for several years, but it’s a big job that takes a lot of time,” Thompson said.  “There is still a lot of work to be done, but I’m determined to get it done soon.”

      AMARILLO — The popular ‘Have Computer Will Travel’ education workshops offered annually by Texas Cooperative Extension will start soon.

Courses are designed to fit the needs of area agricultural producers and financial managers of farms and ranches.

“This year, we’ve added a new course and updated popular software,” said Steve Amosson, Extension management economist of Amarillo.

“Early registration is strongly encouraged because there is high demand,” Amosson said.  The mobile computer lab features 13 laptops and travels to workshops around the state.

“Initially, we wanted to promote early adoption of ‘computer-age’ technology by producers and agribusiness operators,” Amosson explained, 

“The program has been almost too successful. Class size is limited to the number of laptops available.”

The workshops for QuickBooks will be held April 8-9 in Clarendon at Clarendon College.  Also, in Pampa on April 2-3; March 26-27 at the Amarillo A&M Center; and Spearman on April 11-12.  A final training is slated June 13-14 in Dumas.

All workshops start by 9 a.m. and end by 3:30 p.m.  Registration fees may vary depending on the course and days in training. Couples may share a laptop for a single registration fee.

New this year is Beginning QuickBooks 2001, which will be offered in 2-day sessions.  The course will cover basic applications, case studies, and personal finance.   Instructors will include Extension specialists DeDe Jones and Dustin Gaskins, with assistance by Fran Bretz and Jackie Miller, program associates.

Also in June, Amosson will  teaching Beginning Quicken 2001 for Windows, June 5-6.  The cost will be $75.

Another training on June 7 carries a $50 registration and will feature BUDPRO, the budget projecting software for crop and livestock enterprises.  This menu-driven package helps producers make budget projections for the various commodities. 

Besides generating enterprise budgets, the software calculates break-even prices and provides sensitivity analysis for varying prices and quantities produced. 

Registration requires payment before enrollment will be complete.  Make checks payable to Texas Cooperative Extension.  Mail to DeDe Jones at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, 6500 Amarillo Blvd. West, Amarillo, Texas 79106. 

Contact Jones at (806) 359-5401 or any county Extension office in the area for forms to register and more information.

A one-vehicle accident west of Clarendon sent four people to the hospital last Monday.

The Department of Public Safety said 32-year-old Wanda Silva was driving eastbound on US 287 at a high rate of speed when she fell asleep.

Silva drove into the south ditch, overcorrected, and ran back on the highway. She overcorrected again, running back into the south ditch, then overcorrected again and rolled her 1999 Chevy Cavalier twice. The car came to rest on its wheels and pointed south.

Two rear passengers – an 11-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl were not wearing their seatbelts and were ejected from the car. Silva and a 9-year-old boy remained in the front seat.

The rear passengers were airlifted to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo for treatment. The other passengers were transported by the Associated Ambulance Authority.

At press time the 11- year-old was reported to still be in the hospital. The other children were released. Both boys are the sons of Alton Gaines of Clarendon.

Candidates for county offices were praised for their good behavior and wanting to serve the people of Donley County during a Candidates Forum Monday night.

The forum, hosted by the Donley County Republican Club, was held in the Panhandle Community Services Building and was attended by eight candidates from both parties.

Jim Blackerby moderated the event and called each candidate to the podium one contest at a time with the incumbent going first.

Bob Trout, the Democratic incumbent for Commissioner of Precinct 4, said he has lived in Donley County all of his life and has enjoyed serving the people of the county. If re-elected, Trout said he would do his job the best he could and try not to waste any tax money.

Trout’s opponent, Republican Wayne Riggs, said he was running because of his concern about improving the county and taking care of the people in the country. He called Trout his friend and said, “May the best man win.”

Republican Rebecca Jackson, the incumbent County Treasurer, outlined her history with the county, having worked for the Extension Service for 10 years before being appointed to her current position in 1997. She was elected to a full term in 1998. Jackson said she has updated the financial software used by the county and has attended several continuing education classes. She invited citizens to come by her office any time. “I’d like to say that a vote for experience will save taxpayers time and money.”

Vicki Sloan is running against Jackson on the Democratic ticket. She was born Clarendon and has family roots in the county. She has worked in the motor vehicle office and the former Community Action office (now known as Panhandle Community Services). Sloan said she sees the treasurer’s office as a career opportunity and a chance to serve the people. “I am ready, willing, and able to go to work for the people of Donley County.”

Fay Vargas, the Democratic incumbent County/District Clerk, has served in her position since 1987. She said she strives to maintain an open door policy in her office. Vargas said she has automated the records in her office and is now archiving them on optical disk. “I have enjoyed being your clerk and hope to continue,” she said.

Vicki Knowles is challenging Vargas on the Republican ticket. Knowles attended Hedley schools, worked for several years at a Memphis drug store, and has been self-employed for 11 years. Knowles said she now wants a career change and an opportunity to learn new things. She said she has been studying with a retired clerk to learn about the job and is taking a computer class at Clarendon College. She said she hopes to bring integrity and efficiency to the office of clerk.

Jack Hall, the incumbent Democratic County Judge, has lived here since 1961. He was appointed to his position in 1997 and elected to a full term in 1998. He said his job has been rewarding and challenging, and he outlined the duties and responsibilities of his office. He said he is required to handle everything from hearing county court cases to preparing the agenda for and presiding over the Commissioners’ Court to changing light bulbs in the Courthouse Annex. “I have enjoyed serving the people of Donley County, and I want the county judge’s office to be looked at and admired.”

Hall’s opponent, Republican Jimmy Thompson, was born and raised on a ranch in Donley County and attended local schools. He joined the Marines, where he received his GED, and later spent 24 years in the service of Donley County, first as a deputy and then as sheriff. Thompson said he knows there is no money in running for office in Donley County. “If I’m elected it will be an open door policy and will be for all the people of the county.”

With three playoff wins under their belt, the Hedley Lady Owls are preparing to face Nazareth Friday night for the semi-state title.

The girls will play at 8 p.m. in the Wilkerson Gaines Activity Center in Ft. Worth.

Tuesday night the Lady Owls edged out Whitharral, 41-45, for the Semi-Regional title in Floydada. Complete game results will be printed in next week’s Enterprise.

Hedley faced the Happy Cowgirls last Tuesday, February 12, for the bi-district championship game in Amarillo.  Both teams started the game off pretty evenly, but Happy pulled ahead to take a one point lead at the end of the first quarter.  The Lady Owls would return the favor in the second quarter, pulling away with a small lead at the half. The halftime score was 24-21. 

Hedley would increase their lead by three points in the third quarter, and in the final period of play and defeated the Cowgirls, 57-48.

“This was a hard played game, and both team played a good physical game,” said Coach Kenneth Housden. “We had balanced scoring from our players.”

Scoring for Hedley were Lauren Hill, 16; Haley Bennett, 13; Lora Llewellyn, 6; Rebekah Howard, 6; Kasi Woodard, 6; Amber Solis, 4; Brittney Bennett, 3; Sealey Stevens, 2; and Lacey Wallendorff, 1.

With that win, the Lady Owls advanced to the Area game. They faced Ft. Elliott on Friday at Tascosa High School in Amarillo.

Hedley started the game well, scoring 24 points and holding the Lady Cougars to just 12 points in the first quarter. The Lady Cougars stepped up to Hedley in the second quarter, matching Hedley point for point, but the Lady Owls maintained the lead at the half, 39-27. 

The Lady Owls would increase their lead in the third quarter by nine points and continued to dominate the game.  Hedley defeated Ft. Elliott 76-55 to claim the Area title.

“The press helped us a lot,” said Housden.  “We maintained balanced scoring from our players”

Scoring were Hill, 20; Howard, 17; Bennett, 16; Lora Llewellyn, 15; Woodard, 4; Solis, 3; and Bolin, 2.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen met in regular session February 12 in the Board Room of City Hall.

A city election was ordered for Saturday, May 4, 2002, to elect three aldermen.

Stormie Garrison presented a request for a skate park to be built south of the City Park. Garrison and his friends, Michael Brooks and Austin Howard, presented more than 100 signatures of support for the idea and said people had told them they were willing to donate money to the project.

Mayor Tex Selvidge commended the boys for their hard work and for taking an interest in their community. The aldermen agreed to have the skate park idea included in the city’s planning grant and asked the boys to bring designs for a park to a future meeting. The boys agreed to go to the city library and look up skate park designs on the Internet.

Dusty Abbott discussed a proposed business to be located at the municipal airport. Information is still being gathered, and the board took no action on this item.

A corporate authorization resolution was approved concerning signature cards for the city’s accounts.

Also last week, the Board of Aldermen met in a workshop on February 15 to discuss codification of the city ordinances. No actions were taken at the workshop as the board and consultant Colby Waters went over all the existing ordinances that have been passed since the city incorporated in 1901.